Answer to Question #294176 in Optics for Chemistry

Question

Can water waves be reflected and refracted? Give examples. Does Huygens’s principle apply to water waves? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer

We know that

Reflection is change in direction of waves when they bounce from a barrier.

And

Refraction of waves involves a change in the direction of waves as they pass from one medium to another. .

Therefore water waves can be reflected and refracted.

Examples

Reflection:- water wave impacting a concrete wall.

Refraction:-water wave when it moves from shallow water to deeper water.

Yes , Huygens's principle can use for all types of waves as water waves, sound waves, and light waves